In the intimate production of Dennis Kelly’s Girls & Boys at The Tank NYC, Elena Lozonschi and Hraban Luyat offer a fresh, innovative take on the harrowing one-woman show in its much anticipated, first ever return to the New York stage. Set in a simple yet striking configuration that has the audience seated in a large circle—reminiscent of an AA meeting—this version of Girls & Boys blurs the line between performance and reality, drawing us into its world from the very beginning, and proves a bold departure from the staging of its acclaimed London run, starring Carey Mulligan.
Upon entering the space, audience members were greeted not by a traditional stage, but by Lozonschi’s character, the Woman, who welcomed us to a “Bereavement meeting.” The neon lights flickered, and the unsettling hum of the lights established the tone of what was to come: a confessional, deeply personal story that would unravel in front of us. It was a clever, immersive setup that placed the audience in the middle of the action, making us more than passive observers—we were part of the story.
Lozonschi’s presence in the room during house opening, and her casual interaction with the audience, blurred the boundaries between fiction and reality. After she exited and reentered the room, the theater lights came up, drawing us into the meeting’s imaginary space. It felt as if we had been thrust into the middle of the story, and the intensity never wavered from that point forward.
The decision to stage Girls & Boys in this manner—turning it into a confessional in a private setting—was a stroke of brilliance, and it turns out this was largely Hraban Luyat’s vision. The unusual setup not only heightened the tension but also allowed for a seamless transition between the comic moments and the darker, more tragic elements of the play. The contrast between the Woman’s interactions with her absent children and her physical interactions with the Husband was sharp and effective, and the physicality that Luyat brought to the performance added an unexpected layer of depth to this story.
What made this production truly stand out, however, was the connection between Lozonschi and Luyat. Their chemistry was undeniable, and it elevated the play beyond a typical one-woman show. The love and heartbreak between their characters felt palpable, and as the story progressed from light-hearted to devastating, the emotional impact was profoundly felt by the audience. The inclusion of physical interactions and occasional dialogue between the Woman and the Husband provided a fresh perspective on their relationship, making the final reveal all the more gut-wrenching.
This is a performance that hinges on trust, collaboration, and dedication, and it’s clear that both Lozonschi and Luyat brought all of that and more to the table. Individually, they are immensely talented actors, but together, they form a formidable team that made this production shine. It’s rare to see such a perfect stage partnership, and I can only hope this is the beginning of many more collaborations between these two.
Girls & Boys is a show that lingers long after the lights go down, and it’s clear that Lozonschi and Luyat have created something truly special there. I, for one, am eager to see what they do next.
